Devilish | Moriarty The Patriot

Side Story 2

Louise stumbled into the kitchen and immediately clutched the counter to keep her knees from giving away. She was hyperventilating, her pulse thundering against her ears. What the hell? Did she just see a ghost of her former lover? Then kissed him in front of her son only to run away from the situation? She banged her fist against the counter but missed the wooden part. Her curled palm hit the bowl of the spoon which sent it flying. It clanged loudly against the tiled floors of the kitchen. The apron straps felt too tight against her abdomen so she ripped it off. 

"Is everything alright Louise?" Mr. Collins, the owner of the Diner peeked his head out from the corner of the ovens where he was baking bread. 

"I- I spilled some coffee outside I'm sorry, I'm not feeling too well." Louise's eyebrows scrunched, a pleading face which he cannot resist. 

"Oh dear, take a break, I'll clean it up!" Mr. Collins, fixed up the bread in the ovens quickly and then steps out of the kitchens with a mop. 

As he left, Louise collapsed onto the group, squeezing her knees against her chest. Was this some kind of blessing? William was alive! Her heart squeezed into itself, she clutched the back of her neck. She huffed and puffed, trying to ease the overwhelming emotions that swarmed her mind. Was it happiness? No, perhaps joy? Was she elated to see her lover? Yes. But seven years was too much time to process her feelings. Did she grieve when she heard the news of the Lord of Crime's passing. Did she find it mysterious? Yes. Did she decide to investigate to see if he was perhaps alive? No. She was too tired of everything. The thirst for thrill and rebellion. Blending into the church as a nun was her priority. Then her belly began to show, morning sickness and the very familiar pregnancy symptoms emerged. 

Drama had unfolded with the church. A pregnant nun?! Louise was shunned, however, Granny Melissa, head-nun, bless her, was Louise's savior. She permitted Louise stay as a helper of the church. Louise did have a way with herbs and her skills in treating the injured was unmatched. She could also cook, clean, and practically do anything. The nuns and priests warmed up to her again. Granny Melissa knew that Louise had a tumultuous background, however she never pried into it. 

Then Louise had her baby boy. Louise could not contain her laughter when she first saw how absolutely similar him and William were. With his blond hair, red eyes and angular features. She pondered over her son's name, only to settle with James as it just felt right. 

Louise loved and cherished her son. The spitting image of her father. How cruel fate was that for the brief period of knowing that man she gained a new life, as if it was a testament of their love. Little James was a ball of energy who loved his mother and the members of the church. He rarely cried and had an intelligent glint to his eyes. By age two he was recognizing letters and able to communicate, much better than an average child. He loved puzzles and sweets. He loved untangling strings of yarn and laying them out orderly so Louise would intentionally unroll and mess up her yarn for him to play with. They would grow crops in the church garden, dirtying their hands and knees in the dirt, then go wash it off in the river where they would play. Louise vividly remembers these years as the most peaceful ever in her life. 

Things took a turn when an officer from London had returned to his hometown and recognized Louise as the culprit of mass murder that went missing four years ago. The officer was relentless,  shouting at Louise, accusing the church of hiding a murderer. Of course, Louise had feigned innocence and cried at his cruel remarks. Reality however, continued to crash around her as more people in the town began to grow suspicious of her. Things took a turn when a drawing of her wanted, hand-drawn face was distributed in the town. Fate flipped the coin on her and decided that peace was not her thing. 

Granny Melissa called Louise to her office. "Louise I am sure you are aware of the accusations against you." 

"Yes Granny." Louise stared at her feet, cheeks hot with shame.